Crisis Clinician - Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT)

About the Role

Be the bridge between crisis and care as a Crisis Clinician on the Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT), an innovative collaboration between behavioral health professionals and law enforcement. This role serves at the intersection of mental health and public safety, providing timely support in the field alongside Houston Police Department officers or Harris County Sheriff’s deputies.

Learn more about the CIRT team.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Work directly in the field, responding to behavioral health crises in real time.
• Provide on-the-spot mental health assessments and de-escalation.
• Connect individuals and families with critical services and supports.
• Serve as a visible, mobile responder in homes, public spaces, and community settings.

Why Join CIRT?

• Innovative model: A first-of-its-kind partnership merging mental health expertise with public safety.
• High impact: Help shape the future of crisis care in Harris County.
• Team-based: Collaborate with passionate professionals trained in trauma-informed response.
• Every day is different: Expect challenge, growth, and deeply meaningful work.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (M.A.) from a four-year accredited college or university with a major in a social, behavioral, or human service field (e.g., psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, human development, or educational psychology).
• Preferred clinical license through the State of Texas, such as:
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or LMSW
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or LPC-A
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or LMFT-A
• One to two years of clinical experience post-Master’s degree preferred.
• Must be working toward licensure.
• Pass a law enforcement Criminal Justice Information Services (CHIS) background check.

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to apply crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of Texas Administrative Code Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 301, Subchapter G, Division 3, Section 301.361 for Documentation of Service Provision.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety Code Title 7, Subtitle C, Chapter 573.
• Familiarity with community resources (mental health, substance abuse, homeless services).
• Strong diagnostic skills, incorporating patient history, symptoms, and environmental factors.
• Excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills; clear and concise written documentation.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility with workdays and times; may be required to work during city disasters.

Responsibilities

In the Field

• Provide on-the-spot mental health assessments.
• De-escalate crises through immediate clinical intervention.
• Connect individuals and families with critical services and supports.

Beyond the Field

• Perform comprehensive clinical assessments and contribute to treatment planning.
• Provide cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce symptoms and enhance functioning.
• Deliver psychoeducation on mental illness, symptom management, and medication use.
• Coordinate care access based on individual needs.
• Advocate for individuals across internal and external systems of care.
• Document all services per regulatory and agency standards.
• Participate in training, supervision, and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure ethical, culturally responsive care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Robust retirement plan with generous company matching.
• Prior service credit for accelerated Paid Time Off accrual.
• Cell phone discounts and exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work.
• Free Headspace subscription for mental wellness.
• Employee Assistance Program for overall well-being.
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility as a qualifying entity.

Working Conditions

• May require travel to or transport of consumers to homes or other field locations.
• May be exposed to unfavorable conditions.
• Interacts with individuals who may be emotional or physically hostile, agitated, or uncooperative.

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people annually with a budget exceeding $300 million. The organization offers a full continuum of services at 80 sites across Harris County and in over 40 languages, including sign language, to meet the needs of one of the nation’s largest and most diverse communities.